The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-02-02
AT BENTS OLD FORT.

ror more IMAM oOU long, JOllbOme
miles, from the bustling town ofWest.
port on the Missouri TO che royal city
of New Spain, stretched to the old
Sante Fe trail. At it's initial point on
the great muddy river there was usu-
ally gathering OF men, cattle, and
wagons, for the making up OF the nu-
merous trains soon to be dotted
along the whole length, steadily march
ing westward or resting at Council
Grove, Pawne Fork, the Cimarron
Crossing,or Las Vegas. Now, however,
all was strangely quiet at Westport
and all along the trail. No long pro.
cessons OF white-topped wagons light
ed up the yelowish green buffalo grass;
no crack OF whip or merry
wagoner's song sounded along
the banks of the river; no smoke or
camp fire rose in the clear air. A great
change had come over tho old Santa
Fe trail, for it was July 1916, and
war with Mexico had been declared,
and waiting in New Spain were not ca.
ger buyers OF merchandise, but war.
like parties ready, as reported, to well
come the Gringos with bloody hands
to nospitable graves" Not wholly
deserted, however, by any means was
The great route along the tortuous
Cou'se OF the Arkansas; Tor on it were
marching the finest Army Of the
West" and General Stephen Kearney.
Starting from Fort lIeavenworth and
making their way with much difficulty
over the rough country between that
po.nt and the trail, they-the staff,
the regulars Infantry, dragons and
two batteriesl and the famed First
regiment OF Missouri Cavalry--had
passed Pawree fork, and were concen-
trating on a point not far from the
junction OF the Timpas river with the
Arkansas. Near this point, too, and
on the left bank, was the fort owned
by, and named for one OF the family
of Bent, those celebrated frontiers
men and trappers. IL was commo-
dous structure OF abode, with large
central enclosure and rude accommo-
dations for man and beast.
IL was nearly sunset on or near the
2Sth day OF July when detachment
OF Doniphan's regiment, with head
quarters stat, halted for the night be-
You'd the 'big timber" or grove OF
large cottonwood trees, where the
valley opens out and the river banks
slope gently down to it, a days march
east OF the fort A group OF officers
gathered round the camp fire and sat
waiting for their supper. Ere long
one Of the surgeons joined them, light
ing his pipe as ne took his seat.
How are the sick men, doctor!"
asked the Major.
'"rhe engineer officer is better, but
still very weak, replied the surgeon,
the Lieutenant OF cavalry is worse,
and fear he cannot last long"
"Poor fellow" calculated the Major.
He is a good and brave man. IL is
hard for him to die here, and OF
miserable fever, before shot has
been fired. More than one heart will
ache in St. Louis when they get the
news OF his ending. Can nothing be
done for h,na7"
Nothing" said the doctor. "IIe
is quite unconscious, and will probably
pass quietly away during the night,
without coming TO himself.
SO il was; aad at sunset next day
the Pawuee5 and Comauches lounging
about the entrance 20 Bent's fort
henrd the volleys of the firing party,
and then saw the little party march
ing at n rapid pace back to the camp.
Outside, ard close under the walls of
the tort at t-se northwest corner, and
among the graves OF a few traders,
trappers, and also rufiiaps, who had
"died with both their boots on"
was simple headboard placed, on
" hich was inscribed.
LBosARD HAHIIS,
l.ieuteaast First Missouri Cavalry.
Born IN 81. Louis Aug. 10, 1921,
Died near Beats Fort, July 30, i6.
Then on won't the Army OF the West |
--on TO Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Old |
Mexico and California-to do famous |
deeds OF vslor; to bring new glory to |
the starry flag and to wrest from the |
foeman a priscely addition to the |
territory 81 the United States. |
Eastward again went no army
with banners, no dragons with
lance and saber, No batteries with |
bright field pieces and heavy caissons.
There went only one mana courier,
who rode like the wind, changing his |
horse Mt frequent intervals and dodg-
ing the Sioux and the Osages as he
covered lea@e after league OF long